Associate Director/Director, Strategic Sourcing Category Lead

Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, the company has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.

Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof of concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about the company’s approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.

Summary of Position:

Scholar Rock is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Category Director to support Technical Operations in the areas of External Drug Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Quality, and Information Technology. This role will be instrumental in developing and executing strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier relationship management, risk mitigation strategies, and cost-effective procurement solutions while enabling TechOps' commercialization and operational readiness.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement, with a strong background in biotechnology or life sciences. They should have a deep understanding of category management, digital procurement, supplier risk strategies, and GxP compliance. This role requires a leader who can balance long-term procurement strategy with hands-on execution, ensuring procurement scalability and commercialization readiness.

• Sourcing Category Strategy & Procurement Evolution
• Develop and implement category strategies for External Drug Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and IT to drive efficiencies and cost savings. Other categories may need support as required.
• Establish a center-led procurement model, ensuring strategic oversight and enablement, supporting TechOps autonomy in execution.
• Lead sourcing initiatives, including RFI/RFP management, supplier pricing and contract negotiations, and strategic supplier partnerships.
• Analyze market trends, industry benchmarks, and cost drivers to optimize sourcing decisions, leveraging supplier segmentation and AI-driven analytics.
• Support the long-term transition of procurement into an optimal future model, ensuring future scalability as Scholar Rock grows.
• Align procurement strategies with TechOps' drug development, clinical trial, and commercial manufacturing needs, ensuring a seamless supplier ecosystem.
• Digital Procurement & Spend Visibility
• Enable spend visibility, sourcing and procure-to-pay (P2P) automation, driving high business user experience and enablement, functional execution, efficiency and compliance.
• Leverage AI-driven supplier analytics tools to track supplier performance, risk exposure, and contract compliance.
• Ensure seamless integration with the CLM system for supplier agreements, compliance documentation, and audit readiness.
• Develop procurement dashboards that provide TechOps, Finance, and Leadership real-time supplier visibility and spend control.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Business Partnership
• Partner cross-functionally with Technical Operations, Finance, Legal, and R&D teams to align procurement strategies with corporate objectives.
• Serve as a trusted business partner, ensuring procurement solutions support commercialization readiness, cost containment, and supplier innovation.
• Manage supplier governance programs, improving quality, service levels, and innovation potential.
• Provide mentorship and procurement training to internal teams to improve procurement fluency and decision-making across Scholar Rock.
• Collaborate with TechOps to balance supplier reliability, cost efficiency, and regulatory requirements for commercialization readiness.
• Supply Chain Resilience & Supplier Risk Management
• Develop and implement supplier risk assessment frameworks, ensuring business continuity and supply chain resilience.
• Establish dual-sourcing strategies and supplier business continuity plans for high-risk services.
• Conduct supplier due diligence, audit readiness checks, and compliance alignment for FDA, EMA, GMP, and GxP standards.
• Optimize Scholar Rock’s cost structure while maintaining high-quality supplier relationships and compliance standards.
• Strengthen procurement’s role in ensuring TechOps' commercial scalability through risk mitigation and proactive supplier management.
• Financial Excellence & Value Creation
• Drive measurable cost savings by aligning sourcing initiatives with corporate financial objectives.
• Conduct spend analysis and category reviews, identifying opportunities for cost optimization and supplier performance improvements.
• Track and report on the financial impact of sourcing strategies to key stakeholders.
• Ensure procurement decisions align with long-term cost efficiency, supplier reliability, and quality objectives.

• 10+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier management, preferably in biotech, pharma, or life sciences.
• Deep category expertise in CMC, CDMO, CRO, raw materials, supply chain, and biologics sourcing.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management experience with CDMOs, CROs, and GxP suppliers.
• Advanced analytical skills using Excel and other digital tools, along with strong presentation development for Executive Leadership.
• Experience implementing digital procurement solutions, P2P automation, supplier analytics, and ERP integration.
• Proven track record in executing cost-saving initiatives while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Regulatory fluency in GxP, FDA regulations, and global supply chain requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or a related field; MBA or relevant certification (CPSM, CIPS) preferred.

Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.